Spotlight on small business at shire networking night

Narrabri Shire Council put the spotlight on small business as it wrapped up its month-long activities for Small Business Month with a networking event at The Crossing Theatre on Friday night.

Guests enjoyed canapes at the gathering which coincided with the launch of council’s online Connecting Business platform.

After a video presentation promoting the council-driven website, general manager Stewart Todd told guests now was the time for businesses to prepare for a post-COVID world.

“Council has got your back,” Mr Todd said, addressing small businesses in the shire.

“It’s not all about dragging big businesses in. You are the heartbeat of the local economy.”

Mr Stewart was joined by other invited guests to speak at the event, including federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, mayor Ron Campbell, small business liaison officer Gilly Goddard and motivational speaker Jillian Kilby.

Different areas of the shire were represented at Friday evening’s networking event, including Boggabri with a busload of Boggabri businesspeople attending.

Wanda Dunnet, Karly Smith, Jillian Kilby, Justin Smith and Jamie Condon. Wanda Dunnet, Karly Smith, Jillian Kilby, Justin Smith and Jamie Condon.

Lindsay Mason and Narrabri Shire Council general manager Stewart Todd. Lindsay Mason and Narrabri Shire Council general manager Stewart Todd.

Brock Johnstone, Brad Carvell, Todd Dunn. Stacey Dunn and Karlie Smith. Brock Johnstone, Brad Carvell, Todd Dunn. Stacey Dunn and Karlie Smith.

Brooke Dalton and Mel Elms. Brooke Dalton and Mel Elms.

Adam Moss and Mark Ward. Adam Moss and Mark Ward.

Dru and Hannah Dickinson. Dru and Hannah Dickinson.

Russell Stewart, Louise Stewart and federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton. Russell and Louise Stewart and federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Bill Birch, Cr Robert Kneale and Cr Ron Campey. Bill Birch, Cr Robert Kneale and Cr Ron Campey.

Brighid Campbell, mayor Ron Campbell and Kim Rozendaal. Brighid Campbell, mayor Ron Campbell and Kim Rozendaal.

Mr Coulton said Narrabri was a couple of years away from an exciting period, with work soon to start nearby on Inland Rail and the recent Independent Planning Commission approval of Santos’ gas project.

“If you could come back in 50 years’ time, Narrabri will look like a very different place,” he said.

Mr Coulton congratulated Narrabri Shire for the way it had embraced change.

Cr Campbell reinforced that all towns in the shire were important, and that council wanted to see all areas benefit from an expected increase in economic activity.

“Narrabri Shire Council is not just made up of Narrabri,” he said.

“We have the chance to embrace and maximise once in a lifetime opportunities in the Narrabri Shire.”

He said the shire was expected to see enormous growth, with more than $7 billion expected to be injected into the local economy in the next seven years.